The gravel bike - a short guide to drivetrains
The gravel bike - a short guide to drivetrains

Gravel bike groupsets have been popping up like mushrooms after the rain recently and we can see that the choice of equipment is still a bit of a challenge for our customers. No wonder - there’s a crazy amount of options out there!

That's why we decided to put this summary together. So, if you're after another setup, let us know! We'd be happy to take on a unique project.

The gravel bike - 2x10 drivetrains

Shimano GRX RX400

The entry-level GRX model, which, apart from its obvious gearing limitations, is not that far behind its better siblings.

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 3185 g
  • It has a clutch - additional tension and stabilization of the chain ensure perfect operation even in the most difficult terrain
  • 2x10 drivetrain - greater jumps between gears than in 2x11 groupsets. For example, the distribution of sprocket sizes in Tiagra 11-34t looks like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-26-30-34, and Shimano 105 like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-30-34. In the upper range, the differences between successive sprocket sizes are greater in Tiagra. You won’t have as much control over your cadence as the 105.
  • Range - maximum cassette 11-36t, crankset 46-30t. Therefore, with the GRX RX400, you’ll have access to much lower gears than Tiagra or 105, but you won't have access to higher gears. With a cadence of 90 RPM, it’s possible to achieve a speed of about 50 km/h in the heaviest gear.
  • Brakes - GRX is only available in the hydraulic version
  • Improved shifter design - provides a very comfortable, secure grip and intuitive braking

For who:

If you want a proper gravel bike, need a wider gearing range than a 1x11,but don't want to pay extra for a 2x11 drivetrain, choose the GRX RX400. but don't want to pay extra for a 2x11 drivetrain, choose the GRX RX400. The clutch will give you perfect drivetrain performance in all conditions, the comfortable shift levers will work great even on the longest rides, and you can spend the money you save on better wheels, for example. Want to know more about the GRX? We prepared an in-depth article on it some time ago!


Loca Bikes - Powder Candy Alu

The gravel bike - 2x11 drivetrains

Shimano GRX RX800 2x11

The big brother of RX400 and probably the best 100% gravel groupset with two chainrings, in terms of quality/price ratio.

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 2790 g
  • It has a clutch - additional tension and chain stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the most difficult terrain
  • 2x11 drivetrain - provides smaller jumps between cogs than 2x10 drivetrains. For example, the sprocket sizes in Tiagra 11-34t look like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-26-30-34, and Shimano 105 like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-30-34. In the upper range, the differences in successive sprocket sizes are smaller in the 105. As a result, we’ll have more control over our cadence than a 2x10.
  • Range - maximum cassette 11-34t, crankset 48-31t. With a cadence of 90 RPM, it's possible to achieve a speed of around 52 km/h on the highest gear ratio.
  • Brakes - the GRX is only available in the hydraulic version.
  • Improved shifter design - provides a very comfortable, secure grip and intuitive braking. Servo Wave technology improves brake power and modulation.

For who:

If you’re putting extra gears over the simplicity of a 1x11 drivetrain and aren’t limited by a budget, the RX800 2x11 will be the best option for you. It has everything a gravel bike needs: comfortable shifters, a chain-tensioning clutch, access to low gears, and great brakes.

Just remember that if you’re used to very fast road rides, you may sometimes run out of gears. Up to speeds of around 50 km/h, you'll spin comfortably at an optimal cadence, but any faster than that, you’ll start to spin like a hamster on a wheel. However, on gravel, this probably won’t be the case.


Loca Bikes - Powder Candy Carbon

The gravel bike - 1x11 drivetrains

Shimano GRX RX800 1x11

The most gravel version of GRX. After all, what other thing is more gravel than 1x11 drivetrains?

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 2521 g
  • It has a clutch - additional chain tension and stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the toughest terrain
  • 1x11 drive - simplicity and no chance of the chain falling off, at the expense of a smaller gear range and bigger gaps between
  • Narrow-wide chainring - Each tooth on the chainring alternates in width (narrow wide narrow wide), fitting precisely to the wide and narrow links of the chain. In combination with the clutch, it practically prevents the chain from falling off.
  • Range - maximum cassette 11-42t, crankset 42t - this gives us quite a versatile setup for most gravel routes.
  • Brakes - GRX is only available in the hydraulic version.
  • Improved shifter design - provides a very comfortable, secure grip and intuitive braking. Servo Wave technology improves brake power and modulation.

For who:

The RX800 is the ideal option for those who dream of a 1x11 drivetrain and would like something from Shimano. The shifters are definitely a big selling point for GRX - they’re comfortable as hell! Remember the typical limitations of 1x11 (a smaller gear range and bigger gaps between gears). At 90 RPM, we'll sit around 43 km/h. However, in return, we’ll have fewer cables, do less maintenance, and have a chain that never falls off. An exact comparison of Apex and GRX 1x11 can be found here.

Electronic groupsets

Yes, you heard right, not electric! We do not mean ebikes, but classic bicycles that have been armed with derailleurs operating without the aid of any mechanical cables. Solutions like these are no longer a futuristic dream of bicycle enthusiasts and have become a common sight in the world of bicycles - and not without good reason!

Shimano GRX RX815 Di2 1x11

The Shimano RX815 is an upgraded version of the mechanical RX800 groupset. The crankset and brake calipers are the same. The brake/shift levers have a significantly changed shape, ending with a bend that allows an even more comfortable grip than its smaller brother. The biggest difference is on the inside: the derailleurs have no place to attach a cable, but instead have a small motor that takes care of the gear changes when instructed to do so by clicking on the handlebars. The RX815, like the mechanical version, features the excellent Servo Wave technology in the handle grips, which significantly improves braking quality.

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 2795 g
  • Electronic derailleurs - the operation of this group does not rely on mechanical cable tension. The gears are changed by a motor inside the derailleur. What does this mean in practice? Weather factors have a much smaller impact on the shifting performance. The gears are always shifted with perfect precision and can be adjusted at the touch of a button on the handlebars, even while riding!
  • It has a clutch - additional chain tension and stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the toughest terrain
  • 1x11 drive - simplicity and no chance of the chain falling off, at the expense of a smaller gear range and bigger gaps between
  • Narrow-wide chainring - Each tooth on the chainring alternates in width (narrow wide narrow wide), fitting precisely to the wide and narrow links of the chain. In combination with the clutch, it practically prevents the chain from falling off.
  • Range - maximum cassette 11-42t, crankset 42t - this gives us quite a versatile setup for most gravel routes.
  • Brakes - GRX is only available in the hydraulic version.
  • Improved shifter design - provides a very comfortable, secure grip and intuitive braking. Servo Wave technology improves brake power and modulation.

For who:

The RX815 1x11 is Shimano's top-of-the-range gravel groupset. It has all the advantages of the other 1x11 drivetrains, plus it features uncompromisingly perfect shifting and a significantly reduced need for servicing. No cables means no annual servicing associated with changing cables. The large battery in the seatpost, on the other hand, guarantees a trouble-free ride for 2000-5000 km! Charging time is just 90 minutes.


Loca Bikes - Black Custom Alu

Shimano GRX RX815 Di2 2x11

The 2x11 version of the Di2 group from Shimano works exactly the same as the 1x11 version and has all the advantages and disadvantages of 2x drivetrain groupsets. However, one thing makes it different. As the entire system is electronic, the front derailleur can be set to automatic mode! We take care of the rear gear changes and the system at the right moment changes the front chainring from large to small for us. This also reduces the possibility of excessive chain crossing.

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 2959 g
  • Electronic derailleurs - the operation of this group does not rely on mechanical cable tension. The gears are changed by a motor inside the derailleur. What does this mean in practice? Weather factors have a much smaller impact on the shifting performance. The gears are always shifted with perfect precision and can be adjusted at the touch of a button on the handlebars, even while riding!
  • It has a clutch - additional tension and chain stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the most difficult terrain
  • 2x11 drivetrain - provides smaller jumps between cogs than 2x10 drivetrains. For example, the sprocket sizes in Tiagra 11-34t look like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-26-30-34, and Shimano 105 like this: 11-13-15-17-19-21-23-25-27-30-34. In the upper range, the differences in successive sprocket sizes are smaller in the 105. As a result, we’ll have more control over our cadence than a 2x10.
  • Range - maximum cassette 11-34t, crankset 48-31t. With a cadence of 90 RPM, it's possible to achieve a speed of around 52 km/h on the highest gear ratio.
  • Brakes - the GRX is only available in the hydraulic version.
  • Improved shifter design - provides a very comfortable, secure grip and intuitive braking. Servo Wave technology improves brake power and modulation.

For who:

The RX815 2x11 is Shimano's top-of-the-range gravel groupset. It has all the advantages of the other 2x11 drivetrains, plus it features uncompromisingly perfect shifting and a significantly reduced need for servicing. No cables means no annual servicing associated with changing cables. The large battery in the seatpost, on the other hand, guarantees a trouble-free ride for 2000-5000 km! Charging time is just 90 minutes.

SRAM AXS Rival XPLR 1x12

Moving on to SRAM's groups, which, compared to Shimano Di2, are distinguished by one rather significant thing - they are completely wireless!

Other differences? A larger gear range thanks to the SRAM XD driver and 12 rather than 11 cassette cogs. All this makes the AXS groupset range a dream choice for many riders. The lack of cables, means that the battery is plugged directly into the derailleur and therefore, is considerably smaller than the one from Di2 groupset.

However, we wouldn't describe this as a problem - the battery lasts around 20-30 hours of riding, which translates into a few weeks of short rides or 1-2 expedition weekends. It takes less than an hour to charge to full, and the size comparable to a camera battery allows you to take a spare one with you without any problems.

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 2891 g
  • Electronic derailleurs - the operation of this group does not rely on mechanical cable tension. The gears are changed by a motor inside the derailleur. What does this mean in practice? Weather factors have a much smaller impact on the shifting performance. The gears are always shifted with perfect precision and can be adjusted at the touch of a button on the handlebars, even while riding!
  • No cables - SRAM AXS groupsets are wireless. The brake/shift levers communicate with the derailleur without the use of any cables, with just a light click. The only cables in your cockpit are those from the brakes. The bike looks cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing, mounting bikepacking bags is simpler and servicing the bike is trivial. The absence of derailleur cables also means that there is lower risk of failure of the whole drivetrain.
  • It has a clutch - additional chain tension and stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the toughest terrain
  • 1x12 drivetrain - simplicity and no chance of the chain falling off, additional cassette cog, compared to 11s drivetrains, improves gear range and graduation
  • Narrow-wide chainring - Each tooth on the chainring alternates in width (narrow wide narrow wide), fitting precisely to the wide and narrow links of the chain. In combination with the clutch, it practically prevents the chain from falling off.
  • Range - maximum cassette 10-44t, crankset 46t - this gives us quite a versatile setup for most gravel routes.
  • Brakes - SRAM AXS is only available in the hydraulic version.

For who:

The SRAM AXS Rival XPLR is a groupset that will handle most gravel routes well. The  cassette 10-44 provides a fairly versatile set of gears, while the lack of unnecessary cables and the brilliant shifting precision of the derailleur allows you to enjoy what matters most - riding.

SRAM AXS Rival/GX Mullet 1x12

AXS allows components from the road, gravel and mountain groups to be combined effortlessly. This allows us to create a Frankenstein of a drivetrain with Rival handlebars and an MTB GX AXS rear derailleur. The result of such a combination? A huge range of up to 10-52t! Can you think of anything better?

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 3042 g
  • Electronic derailleurs - the operation of this group does not rely on mechanical cable tension. The gears are changed by a motor inside the derailleur. What does this mean in practice? Weather factors have a much smaller impact on the shifting performance. The gears are always shifted with perfect precision and can be adjusted at the touch of a button on the handlebars, even while riding!
  • No cables - SRAM AXS groupsets are wireless. The brake/shift levers communicate with the derailleur without the use of any cables, with just a light click. The only cables that remain on your cockpit are those from the brakes. The bike looks cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing, mounting bikepacking bags is simpler and servicing the bike is trivial. The absence of derailleur cables also means that there is lower risk of failure of the whole drivetrain.
  • It has a clutch - additional chain tension and stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the toughest terrain
  • 1x12 drivetrain - simplicity and no chance of the chain falling off, additional cassette cog, compared to 11s drivetrains, improves gear range and graduation
  • Narrow-wide chainring - Each tooth on the chainring alternates in width (narrow wide narrow wide), fitting precisely to the wide and narrow links of the chain. In combination with the clutch, it practically prevents the chain from falling off.
  • Range - maximum cassette 10-52t, crankset 46t - no matter how steep the terrain is, such a set can handle it perfectly.
  • Brakes - SRAM AXS is only available in the hydraulic version.

For who:

The mullet drivetrain will particularly appeal to demanding cyclists switching from MTB bikes, or simply, people who intend to ride a lot off-road and mountain routes on their gravel bikes. Such a set-up has all the advantages of SRAM AXS wireless drivetrains, plus a huge range thanks to the 10-52t cassette, allowing you to go virtually anywhere.

SRAM AXS Rival 2x12

A version of the AXS drivetrain designed for those who have road cycling at heart. It has all the benefits of SRAM's wireless drivetrains, with the added bonus of vastly improved gear graduation thanks to two front chainrings and a 12s cassette, plus access to heavy gearing (thanks to a 10T sprocket and front chainring of up to 48T).

Characteristics:

  • Weight - about 3033 g
  • Electronic derailleurs - the operation of this group does not rely on mechanical cable tension. The gears are changed by a motor inside the derailleur. What does this mean in practice? Weather factors have a much smaller impact on the shifting performance. The gears are always shifted with perfect precision and can be adjusted at the touch of a button on the handlebars, even while riding!
  • No cables - SRAM AXS groupsets are wireless. The brake/shift levers communicate with the derailleur without the use of any cables, with just a light click. The only cables that remain on your cockpit are those from the brakes. The bike looks cleaner, more aesthetically pleasing, mounting bikepacking bags is simpler and servicing the bike is trivial. The absence of derailleur cables also means that there is lower risk of failure of the whole drivetrain.
  • It has a clutch - additional chain tension and stabilization ensure perfect operation even in the toughest terrain
  • 2x12 drivetrain - better gear graduation than 1x11, 1x12, 2x11 or 2x10 drivetrains, allows for very precise cadence control and access to heavier gear ratios than 1x groupsets
  • Narrow-wide chainring - Each tooth on the chainring alternates in width (narrow wide narrow wide), fitting precisely to the wide and narrow links of the chain. In combination with the clutch, it practically prevents the chain from falling off.
  • Range - maximum cassette 10-36, crankset 48-35t - The speed achievable at a cadence of 90 RPM on the heaviest gear is approximately 57 km/h! 
  • Brakes - SRAM AXS is only available in the hydraulic version.

For who:

If you want a minimalist cockpit, value high precision gear shifting in all conditions and you intend to ride on a variety of surfaces, including road, the AXS Rival 2x12 will be an excellent choice.

If you are still wondering whether it is better to choose a group with one or two chainrings, be sure to read this article. Do you have any other questions? Feel free to contact us!

 

About the blog

Na tej stronie zebraliśmy opinie na temat naszych rowerów. Przeczytaj co sądzą o nas eksperci z branży, media i przede wszystkim nasi klienci.

Loca Bikes is a Wrocław bicycle manufacturer. Since 2016, we have built several hundred personalized bikes, and we can safely say that we know quite a bit about it. As part of the blog, we want to share this knowledge and infect you with our passion for bikes. You will find numerous tips here, as well as articles on cycling culture and history.

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